Method and apparatus for forming paper sticks or the like



Jan. 11, 1955 LYONs 2,699,098

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING PAPER STICKS OR THE LIKE Filed April25, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l A I mx Ham. LQFFLOcQs ATTORNEY Jan. 11, 1955H. R. LYONS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING PAPER STICKS OR THE LIKEFiled April 25, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 39.1. (Al LOQ KS M ATTORNEYINVENTOR H. R. LYONS Jan. 11, 1955 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMINGPAPER STICKS OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 25, 1952 ATTORNEYJan. 11 1955 LYQNS 2,699,098

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING PAPER STICKS OR THE LIKE Filed April25, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I ll INVENTOR M if ATTORNEY United StatesPatent IVIETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING PAPER STICKS OR THE LIKEHerbert R. Lyons, Akron, Ohio, assignor to The Diamond Match Company,New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application April 25, 1952,Serial No. 284,269

15 Claims. (Cl. 93-1) This invention relates to the method and apparatusemployed in the manufacture of paper sticks from a sheet material. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to the method and apparatusemployed in the manufacture of paper confection sticks from paper sheetmaterial or the like, in which the paper material is tightly rolled toform a rigid body.

Prior to the instant invention, the heretofore known apparatus employedin fabricating rolled objects from paper or the like have generally beenof the type which incorporated unwieldly and complicated mechanicalsystems, including various types of drives and controls. The method offabricating a rolled object from paper with such apparatus was not onlydifficult to carry out, but also time-consuming, both of which resultedin a costly operation.

Consequently, it is one of the objects of the present invention toprovide paper stick forming apparatus having a relatively simpleconstruction and requiring no special skills to operate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofmanufacturing paper sticks or the like from a sheet material in whichthe stick forming operation is performed quickly, smoothly andefficiently.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant inventionwill be apparent from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of one form of the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail in section of the initial pa igzr feedingmeans and the paper curling means, shown in ig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail in section of the paper feed rolls,perforating means and paper break-off means shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly Fig. 1, the operation of thestick forming apparatus to be described hereinafter, is generallyillustrated.

An extended paper sheet or web is advanced from a suitable paper source(not shown) to a pair of tension or idler rolls 11, 12, where it is fedtherebetween. From the rolls 11, 12 the paper web extends over andaround the edges of a bar 13 and therefrom is fed to a pair of rubbercovered driven rolls 14, 15. The driven rolls 14, 15 receive the web 10from the bar 13 and serve as the feeding means therefor, drawing the webfrom the idler rolls 11, 12 over the bar 13 and advancing it toperforating rolls 16, 17. As the feed rolls 14, 15 pull the paper web 10over and around the edges of the bar 13, the paper structure is strainedin a manner such that when the web is subsequently broken intoindividual paper sheets, each sheet will have a curling effect. Theupper perforating roll 16 has suitably inserted therein one or moreknives 18, displaced around the roll periphery and extending thereabove.As the paper web is advanced through the perforating rolls 16, 17, theknives 18 cause a perforation to be cut therein. The paper web is thenadvanced to break-off rolls 19 and 29. The break-off rolls 19 and 29rotate at the same peripheral speed but at a reater speed than theadvancing web, thereby causing the break-off bars 21 located on thesurface of the r ll 19 to tear off the paper at the perforation as theweb advances between the rolls 19 and 29. The resulting single sheet ofpaper, which had been previously pulled ice around the edges of the bar13 and thereby internally strained, is then advanced by the roll 20 to acompacting channel 22 which is located between a stationary platen 23and a suitably covered rotatable drum 24. The curling paper sheet iscarried by the rotating drum 24 around the compacting channel 22, whichis gradually reduced in size with respect to the platen 23 and drum 24.As the curled sheet is rolled around the gradually reducing compactingchannel 22 by the drum 24, it is compacted into a tight and rigid stickelement. A wetting means 25 located near the end of the compactingchannel 22 is provided to bond the outer layer of the rolled andcompacted paper stick, while an ironing plate 26, located adjacent thewetting means 25 serves to supplement the bonding operation.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a base 30 is shown supporting the stick formingapparatus. A frame 31 positioned on the base 30 has suitably mountedtherein the rotatable drum 24 and the stationary platen 23. The drum 24and platen 23, which are formed with cylindrical surfaces, are disposedin eccentric relation and define therebetween the gradually reducingcompacting channel 22. The rotatable drum 24 is mounted on a stationaryshaft 34 which is suitably journalled in an adjustment plate 36 shown indotted lines in Fig. 1, the adjustment plate being adapted to adjust theeccentricity of the cylindrical surface of the rotatable drum 24 withrespect to the cylindrical surface of the stationary platen 23.

The operating rolls which feed, perforate and tear the web into theindividual sheets, are disposed in a roll frame generally indicated at51) which is mounted on the frame 31. A drive gear 38 journalled in theframe is driven by a suitable power means (not shown) and is adapted todrive the operating rolls through a series of appropriate gearing.

The stick forming operation begins by feeding the paper web 10 from asuitable paper source (not shown), to the roll frame 50 which is mountedon the frame 31. Referring to Fig. 2, the paper web 10 extends into theroll frame 59 and is engaged by the tension or guide rolls 11 and 12.The tension or guide rolls are geared directly together, but are notdriven by any power means, functioning chiefly as guide means conductingthe paper web to the bar 13. The rolls 11 and 12 are adjacently mountedin the frame 50 and are suitably covered to aid in transferring thepaper web 10 therebetween. As shown in Fig. 2, the web 10 extends overroll 11, down between the rolls 11 and 12, then around roll 12 and backto the bar 13, which, in effect, reverses the normal direction of feedof the web 10.

Trunnions 51 and 52, formed integral with rolls 11 and 12, respectively,are mounted in the frame 50 by journal blocks 53, 54, which are adaptedto be suitably inserted into a journal slot 55. The rolls 11, 12 aremaintained in their operative position against each other by acompression spring 56. which abuts against the outside journal block 53.The compression s ring 56 is locked into position by an operating handle60. which is secured to the frame 50. The handle 60 is adapted to move alever 61 into engagement with an adjusting screw 63 which, in turn,engages an internally threaded member 64. The member 64 extends througha bearing member 65 and is suitably secured to the compression spring56. It is apparent that movement of the handle 60 in the position shownin Fig. 2 will lock the iournal blocks 53, 54, which carry the trunnions51, 52. securely in place. thereby locking the rolls 11, 12 in the frame50.

Before the web can be perforated, broken off to form individual sheets,and the sheets introduced into the compacting channel 22, the web mustbe first extended around the edges of the bar 13, at which point thepulling of the web around the bar 13 by the driven rolls 14, 15 resultsin the outer surfaces of the web being stretched and the inner surfacescompressed, thereby causing the web fibers to be strained. It isapparent that when the strained web is cut into the individual sheets, acurling of the paper results. This curling phenomena is necessary inorder that an individual paper sheet, when introduced into thecompacting channel, may effectively begin the rolling and compactingoperation. The bar 13 is secured to the frame 50 by bolts 78 and, asseen in Fig. 2, is located above and to the right of guide roll 12. Itis obvious then, as the web is advanced from the roll 12 and pulledaround the edges of the bar 13 by the feed rolls 14, 15, the paper webfibers are strained, which effect results in the individually curledpaper sheets.

In order to adjust the tension of the web it is pulled by the feed rolls14, 15 from the guide or tension rolls 11, 12 and around the bar 13, aweb tensioning means generally indicated at 68 is provided. Referringagain to Fig. 2, the web tensioning means 68 is shown comprising a strap70 fitting around a wheel element 71 secured to the trunnion 52. Thestrap '70 is secured at one end to a stud 72, which is attached to theroll frame 50. An eye 70a, secured to the other end of the strap 70,engages a hook 73 which slidably extends through the stud 72. Anadjustable wing nut 74 threadedly engages the upper portion of the hook73 and compresses a spring 76 which abuts against the stud 72. It isapparent that the correct tension for the web 10 necessary to strain thefibers of the paper as the web is pulled over the bar 13 may be arrivedat by turning the wing nut 74. The effect of turning the nut 74 is toeither raise or lower the hook 73 with respect to the stud 72. If thehook 73 is raised, the strap 70 will tend to tighten around the wheel71, thereby causing the roll 12 to turn more slowly. The roll 11, whichis geared directly to the gear 12, will also tend to turn more slowly,the result being a tightening effect on the feeding paper. Thus, thecurling effect of the paper, when out into individual sheets, can becontrolled by the web tensioning means 68.

After the paper web has been pulled around the edges of the bar 13 bythe feed rolls 14, 15, it is advanced to rolls 16, 17 for the nextoperation. The feed rolls 14, 15 are rubber covered to aid intransferring the paper therebetween and are driven by the drive gear 38through suitable gearing. A plate 84 extends across the roll frame 50and encloses the feed rolls 14, 15 within the frame 50. The feed rollsare rotatably secured to the frame 50 in a manner similar to rolls 11,12. That is, feed roll trunnions 86, 88 are journalled in bearing blocks90, 92, which are, in turn. slidably disposed in a slot 94. An actuatinghandle 96 is secured to the plate 84 and is adapted to move a lever 97which, in turn, moves a slidable element 98 against a compression spring100. The spring 100 abuts against the top bearing block 90 and therebykeeps the feed rolls securely locked in the frame 50.

The feed rolls 14, 15 feed the paper web to the perforating rolls 16, 17where the paper is suitably perforated prior to introduction to thebreak-off rolls 19, 20. Positioned between the feed rolls 14, 15 and theperforating rolls 16, 17 and secured to the frame 50 is a guide elementconsisting of a plate 104 and guide fingers 106, 108. The guide finger106 is located directly adjacent the perforating roll 16 and includes agrooved portion 110 which is positioned between similarly groovedportions formed on the lower perforating roll 17. The grooved portionsdefined by the guide finger 106 and the lower perforating roll 17 aredisposed in a manner to receive the perforating knives 18 of the upperperforating roll 16 and thereby aid in the perforating operation. Theperforating rolls 16, 17 are driven by the roll drive gear 38 throughsuitable gearing and are mounted on the frame 50 in a manner similar torolls 11, 12 and 14, 15. A threaded element 112, bearing on a springplate 114, compresses a spring 116 which securely locks perforating rollshaft 118 and guide roll shaft 120 in journal blocks 122, 124.

The upper perforating roll 16 has disposed thercaround one or moreperforating knives 18 which are locked in place by elements 126. Theknives 18 are equidistanced from each other around the surface of roll16, and thereby will perforate the advancing paper web in such a mannerthat the distance between each perforation will be the same. Thisinsures equal paper sheets after the break-off stage and eventuallyequal-sized paper sticks. As the paper web advances between the guidefingers 106 and 108, the knives 18 on the perforating roll 16 contactthe web at the grooved portion 110 and the grooved portion of the lowerperforating roll 17, thereby perforating the web. The perforated paperweb is then guided around the top surface of the lower perforating roll17 and onto a guide finger 130. The guide finger 130, which is groovedto correspond to the grooved finger 106 and grooved perforating roll 17,is secured to a block 131, which, in turn, is secured to the frame 50 bysuitable means. A guide roll 132, which is also secured to the frame 50by suitable means, combines with a guiding plate 134 in aiding the guidefinger in guiding the paper web to the break-off rolls 19 and 20.

The break-off rolls 19 and 20, which are adapted to break the paper webat the perforations into individual paper sheets, are also driven by themain driving gear 38 through suitable gearing. The upper break-off roll19 is mounted in a frame 152 by a bearing block 140, which carries thebreak-off roll trunnion 142 and which is inserted in the slot 144. Athreaded element 146 extending through the frame 152 abuts against aspring plate 148 which compresses a spring 150. The spring 150 bearsagainst the bearing block 140 and by means of the threaded element 146is adapted to secure the roll shaft 142 in the frame 152.

The upper break-off roll 19 has disposed therearound one or morebreak-off bars 21 which are adapted to engage the advancing web alongwith the lower break-off roll 20 and thereby break the paper web intoindividual sheets. The lower break-off roll 20, which is suitablymounted in the frame 152, is geared to rotate in the opposite directionand at the same speed as the upper break-off roll 19. Since the paperweb advances at a slower speed than the break-off rolls 19, 20 rotate,the break-off bars 21 secured to the upper break-off roll 20 will rotateat a greater speed than the speed of the advancing paper web. It isapparent that, as the break-off bars 21 contact the lower break-off roll20 and grip the paper web therebetween, the difference in the speed ofmovement between the paper web and break-off rolls 19, 20 will cause thepaper web to be broken off at the perforation cut therein by theperforator rolls 16, 17.

The length of a paper sheet and its corresponding diameter arecontrolled solely by the peripheral distance between the perforatingknives 18 on the perforating roll 16. The length of the paper sheet maythen be varied by changing the distance between the perforating knives18. Accordingly, the change can be accomplished by two methods. One isto change the number of equally spaced knives on the perforating roll 18and the other is to change the diameter of the roll. It is apparent thata corresponding change must also be effected in the breakoff roll 19.

If it is desired to cut the perforations in the paper web at shorterintervals, the modified perforator and break-off rolls can be utilized.The modified perforator rolls and break-off rolls will employ a greaternumber of knives and break-off bars than that illustrated in Fig. 3 andwill result in a smaller diameter finished compacted stick. In thoseinstances, when the paper web is perforated in shorter intervals, it isnecessary to employ an intermediate guide roll between the perforatorroll and the break-off roll. The intermediate guide roll 160 is suitablyjournalled in a bearing block 162, which is secured to the frame 50, andmakes contact with the paper web directly above the guide roll 132. Itis apparent that the guide roll 160, in those instances where the lengthof a perforated sheet is too short to have only one perforation betweenthe perforator roll and the break-off roll, will insure the continuousfeeding of the paper web to the break-oif rolls 19, 20. Thus, if aperforated section exists between the guide roll 160 and the perforatorrolls 16, 17 at the time the break-off operation is performed, the guideroll 160, in conjunction with the gulde roll 132, will prevent tearingalong that perforatron and will, in addition, guide the paper web to thebreak-off rolls 19, 20 for the next break-off operation.

After each individual paper sheet is broken off from the paper web, itis advanced around the lower break-off roll 20 to the gradually reducingcompacting channel 22 defined by the stationary platen 23 and theeccentrically mounted drum 24. A curling roll 38a, mounted on the driveshaft 38 and geared to rotate in a direction opposite to that of thedrum 24, extends through the platen 23 into the compacting channel 22.The curling roll 380, which is disposed immediately adjacent the openingof the compacting channel, is adapted to contact the newly admittedpaper sheet and thereby insures that the sheet curls on itself as itenters the compacting area.

It 1s apparent that as an individual paper sheet 170, whose fibers havebeen previously strained on the bar 13, is introduced into thecompacting channel 22, the rotation of the curling roll 38a will besutficient to encourage the curling effect of the strained paper sheet.The compacting operation which results in the finished compacted paperstick is then begun by the action of the rotating drum rolling thecurling paper sheet 170 on the stationary platen 23.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the curling paper sheet 170, which has beenreceived in the compacting channel 22, is shown being carried around thecompacting channel 22 by the rotating drum 24. Due to the eccentricityof the drum 24 with respect to the stationary platen 23, the channel 22progressively decreases, and thereby causes the compacting paper sheetto be progressively decreased in diameter as it is rolled around thechannel 22 by the drum 24.

As the drum 24, which is provided with a suitable surface 180, rolls thecurling paper sheet around the cylindrical surface of the platen 23, thesheet 170 1s tightly compacted into a rigid paper stick. As thecompacted paper sheet nears the end of channel 22, the free end of thenewly formed paper stick is conveniently wetted by the wetting means 25and is thereby bonded to the stick body. The newly formed stick memberis finally rolled by the rotating drum 24 between the ironing plate 26and the drum 24, which movement serves to finish the bonding operationand thereby complete the stick forming operation.

The operation of the apparatus described hereinabove is as follows:

A web of paper is directed through the tension or guide rolls 11, 12 andaround the edges of the bar 13 to the feed rolls 14, 15. At this point,the feed rolls 14, 15, which are actuated by the drive gear 38, engagethe paper web 10 and feed it to the perforating rolls 16 and 17, whichalso are driven by the drive gear 38. The feed rolls 14, 15, in feedingthe paper web, act to pull the web from the guide or tension rollsaround the bar 13, effecting a strain therein. The strained web is thenperforated by the perforator rolls 16, 17, broken into individual sheetsby rolls 19 and 20, and fed into the compacting channel 22 where theyare engaged by the curling roll 38a and the drum 24. The compactingoperation forms the stick elements after which the outer layers thereofare bonded. The finished sticks are then removed from the compactingchannel.

Referring to Fig. 4, which illustrates a modified form of the invention,the paper web 10 is shown advancing around the tension or guide rolls11, 12 to the bar 13 in a manner similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1and 2.

Secured to the guide roll 12 is the web tensioning means 68, which, asshown in Fig. 4, is identical in structure to the web tensioning meansshown in Fig. 2. However, in the modified form of the web tensioningmeans, the stud 72 is mounted in the frame 50 such that the hook 73passing therethrough is inclined. The hook 73 in the inclined positionfaces upwardly and engages the eyelet 70a which is secured to the strap70. The strap 70 is secured to the stud 72 on the left side as seen inFig. 4 and has its free end with the eyelet attached extending aroundthe portion of the roll 12 which is nearest guide roll 11. Instead ofacting as a brake, the effect of the modified arrangement of the webtensioning means is to exert a drag on the web and thereby insure thenecessary tension in the Web as it extends around the bar 13.

From bar 13 the web 10 advances to an idler roll 204 suitably mounted inthe frame 50 and positioned adjacent the topmost point of feed roll 14.The idler roll 204 serves as an additional guiding means for the web andfurthermore tends to reduce the stresses set up in the web by thefeeding action of the rolls 14, 15.

The feed rolls 14, which are provided for advancing the paper web 10from the rolls 11, 12, bar 13 and roll 204, feed the web between guidefingers 106, 206 and then to the perforating rolls 16, 17. After thesuitable perforations are made in the web, it is directed between guidefinger 208 and guide plate 210 to the break-off rolls 19, 20. Thebreak-off roll 19, which includes bars 21, has the same peripheral speedas the roll 20 but both rolls 19 and 20 are adapted to rotate fasterthan the speed of the advancing web. Due to this difference in speed,the web will be broken off at the perforations by the break-off bars 21as the web is gripped between the roll 20 and the bars. As shown in Fig.4, only two break-off bars are utilized on the upper break-off roll 19.

Accordingly, only two perforating knives 18 are employed in theperforating roll 16.

If a shorter paper sheet is desired, which will result in a smallerdiameter paper stick, a modified form of the roll frame illustrated inFig. 4 can be utilized, whereby the frame 50 is lifted upwardly, beingpivoted on the drive shaft 38. This movement has the effect of reducingthe distance between the perforating rolls and the break-off rolls.Accordingly, the perforator roll 16 and break-off roll 19 must bereplaced with rolls which incorporate the correspondingly increased ordecreased number of knives and break-off bars or, as discussedpreviously, rolls having different diameters can be employed. The guideplate 210 and the guide finger 208 may also be replaced by anappropriate plate and finger to correspond in size to the distancebetween the perforating and break-off rolls set by the upwardly pivotedframe 50.

After the break-off operation, the individual paper sheets areintroduced into the compacting channel where they are initially engagedby curling roll 38a and drum 24. The drum 24 then operates to roll thecurling paper sheets around the stationary cylindrical surface of theplaten whereby the paper sticks are formed and bonded.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention and thereforethe invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings anddescribed in the specification but only as indicated in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is: I

1. Apparatus for forming paper sticks or the like from a continuous webof paper, comprising frame means, means mounted on said frame means forfeeding a continuous web, means for straining one face of saidcontinuous web, means for pulling said strained web, means forseparating said continuous Web into sheets of predetermined size andpermitting said strained sheets to curl, and means for rolling andcompacting said curled sheets to form a series of paper sticks.

2. Apparatus for forming paper sticks or the like from a continuous webof paper, comprising means for feeding a continuous web, means forstraining one face of said continuous web, means for pulling saidstrained web, means for separating said continuous web into sheets ofpredetermined size and permitting said strained sheets to curl, meansfor rolling and compacting said curled sheets to form a series of papersticks, frame means for supporting said means for feeding, straining andseparating within the vertical projection of said compacting means.

3. The structure recited in claim 2, said means for rolling andcompacting comprising a stationary outer platen and a moving innerplaten and being located below said means for feeding, straining andseparating whereby all the exposed moving parts are located at the topof the apparatus.

4. Apparatus for forming paper sticks or the like from a continuous webof paper, comprising means for feeding a continuous web, means forperforating said continuous web at spaced intervals, means forseparating said perforated web at the perforations, means for rollingand compacting said sheets to form a series of paper sticks, frame meansfor supporting said separating means, and frame means supporting saidperforating means and adjustably mounted with respect to said framemeans for supporting said separating means to vary the distance betweensaid separating means and said perforating means thereby compensatingfor various sheet sizes.

5. The structure recited in claim 4, wherein said frame means supportingsaid perforating means is pivotally mounted.

6. In an apparatus for forming paper sticks or the like, a stationarygenerally cylindrical platen, a rotatable drum mounted eccentric theretoand forming therewith a com pacting channel, and adjustable meansoperatively connected to said drum for changing the position of saiddrum thereby varying the eccentricity of said drum with respect to saidplaten and thereby varying the size of said compacting channel. saidadjustable means comprising an adiustably movable fixed shaft aboutwhich said drum is adapted to rotate, means for adjusting said fixedshaft comprising an adjustment plate, said fixed shaft being journaledin said adjustment plate and means for moving said adjustment plate.

7. In an apparatus for forming paper sticks or the like from a sheetmaterial, a supporting frame, a stationary generally cylindrical platenmounted in said frame, a rotatable drum mounted in said frame adjacentsaid platen and eccentric thereto and forming therewith a graduallyreduced compacting channel, a roll frame supported by said supportingframe, said roll frame-having mounted therein means for feeding papersheets to said compacting channel, said feeding means including a pairof guide rolls, an elongated bar secured to said roll frame and disposedabove said guide rolls, said guide rolls guiding a paper webtherebetween to said bar in a manner such that the direction of feed ofsaid paper web is opposite to the normal direction of feed, means forperforating said paper web and means for separating said perforatedpaper web into separate sheets, said separate paper sheets beingintroduced into said compacting channel where they are rolled andcompacted into paper sticks.

8. Apparatus for forming paper sticks or the like, comprising a frame, astationary generally cylindrical platen mounted in said frame, arotatable drum mounted in said frame adjacent said platen and eccentricthereto, and forming therewith a gradually reduced compacting channel,means supported by said frame for processing a continuous web of paper,said processing means including a bar around which the paper web isextended, perforating rolls, feeding rolls pulling the web around theedges of said bar and advancing it to said perforating rolls forperforating the web, break-off rolls for breaking the web intoindividual paper sheets and for introducing said paper sheets into saidcompacting channel, said feed rolls, perforating rolls and break-offrolls adapted to be driven by a common driving means.

9. In an apparatus for forming paper sticks or the like from a sheetmaterial, a pair of guide rolls guiding a continuous web of papertherebetween, a pair of feed rolls, an elongated bar disposed above saidguide rolls and adapted to have the web pulled around the edges thereofby said pair of feed rolls thereby straining the fibers of said web,said feed rolls feeding said web to a perforator roll located downstreamfrom said bar and provided with knives therein adapted to cutperforations at intervals in said web, a break-off roll having break-offbars formed thereon, located downstream from said perforator roll,receiving said strained and perforated web and adapted to break offindividual paper sheets therefrom. cylindrical means for receiving saidstrained sheets, and drum means mounted eccentrically in saidcylindrical means for rolling and compacting said sheets into paper stics.

10. Apparatus for forming paper sticks or the like, comprising astationary platen formed with a cylindrical surface, a rotatable drumformed with a cylindrical surface mounted in eccentric relationship withrespect to said platen and forming therewith a gradually reducedcompacting channel, and means disposed adjacent said drum and platen forprocessing a continuous web of paper, said processing means includingguide rolls adapted to receive the paper web therebetween, a bardisposed above said guide rolls, driven feed rolls located downstreamfrom said bar adapted to pull said paper web throu h said guide rollsand around the edges of said bar, thereby straining the fibers of saidpaper, perforator rolls receiving said web fr m said feed ro ls adaptedto perforate the web. break-off rolls receiving the perforated web fr ms id perforat r rolls adapted to bre k the web into individual papersheets, and a curling roll dis osed near the entrance of said compactingchannel and adapted to engage the individual paper sheets as they areintroduced into said compacting channel and thereby insure that saidsheets curl on themselves.

ll. Apparatus for forming paper sticks or the like, com rising asupportin frame. a stationary enerally cylindrical platen mounted insaid frame. a rotatable drum mounted in said supporting frame adjacentsaid platen and eccentric thereto and forming therewith a graduallyreduced compacting channel, a roll frame mounted on said supportingframe having mounted therein a pair of guide rolls receiving an extendedpaper web, an elongated bar secured to said roll frame and disposedabove said guide rolls, a pair of feed rolls pulling said web around theedges of said bar thereby straining the fibers of said web, a pair ofperforator rolls mounted in said roll frame located downstream from saidfeed rolls and receiving said web and cutting perforations therein atspaced intervals, 21 pair of break-01f rolls rotatably mount eddownstream from said perforator rolls, one of said break-off rollshaving break-off bars secured thereto, said break-off rolls adapted torotate at a different speed than the speed of the advancing paper web,thereby causing said break-off bars to break off from the web at theperforations individual paper sheets for introduction into saidcompacting channel.

12. Apparatus for forming paper sticks or the like, comprising asupporting frame, a stationary generally cylindrical platen mounted insaid frame, a rotatable drum mounted in said frame adjacent said plateneccentric thereto and forming therewith a gradually reduced compactingchannel, a roll frame supported by said supporting frame having mountedtherein guide rolls, a bar secured to said roll frame and disposed abovesaid guide rolls, driven feed rolls mounted in said roll framedownstream from said bar, said feed rolls pulling an extended paper webthrough said guide rolls and around the edges of said bar therebystraining the fibers of said paper, a pair of perforator rolls mountedin said roll frame receiving said web from said feed rolls, one of saidperforator rolls having knives positioned therein adapted to perforatethe paper web at spaced intervals, a pair of break-off rolls rotatablymounted downstream from said perforator rolls, one of said break-offrolls having breakoff bars secured thereto, said break-off rolls havingthe same peripheral speed but adapted to rotate at a greater speed thanthe advancing paper web, thereby causing said break-off bars to breakoff individual paper sheets from the web at the perforations, saidbreak-off rolls adapted to introduce the individual paper sheets intosaid compacting channel, and a curling roll mounted in said roll frameand extending into said compacting channel, said curling roll adapted toengage said individual paper shleets and thereby insure that said sheetscurl on themse ves.

13. Apparatus for forming paper sticks or the like, comprising asupporting frame, a stationary generally cylindrical platen mounted insaid frame, a rotatable drum mounted in said frame adjacent said plateneccentric thereto and forming therewith a gradually reduced compactingchannel, a roll frame supported by said supporting frame having mountedtherein guide rolls, a bar secured to said roll frame and disposed abovesaid guide rolls, driven feed rolls mounted for rotation in said rollframe downstream from said bar, said feed rolls pulling an extendedpaper web through said guide rolls and around the edges of said barthereby straining the fibers of said web, web tensioning means mountedin said roll frame braking the movement of said guide rolls therebycausing the feed rolls to exert more tension on said web, perforatorrolls mounted in said roll frame receiving said web from said feedrolls, one of said perforator rolls having knives positioned thereinadapted to perforate the paper web at spaced intervals, break-off rollsrotatably mounted downstream from said perforator roll, one of saidbreak-off rolls having break-off bars secured thereto. said break-offrolls adapted to rotate at a greater speed than the speed of theadvancing paper web thereby causing said break-off bars to break offindividual paper sheets from the web at the perforations, and a curlingroll mounted in said roll frame and extending into said compactingchannel, said curling roll adapted to engage the paper sheets as theyare introduced into the compacting channel thereby insuring that saidpaper sheets curl on themselves.

14. A method of forming a series of paper sticks or the like from acontinuous web, comprising continuously advancing a web of paper.continuously stretching one face of said web to strain the fibersthereof, perforating said strained web at spaced intervals whileadvancing the web. continuously breaking off individual sheets from saidstrained perforated web at the perforations, permitting said strainedsheets to curl, rolling and compacting said curled sheets intorelatively rigid stick elements.

15. A method of forming a series of paper sticks or the like from acontinuous web. comprising continuously advancing a web of paper,continuously guiding said web and stretching one face of said Web tostrain the fibers thereof, perforating said strained web at spacedintervals while advancing the web, continuously breaking off indi vidualsheets from said strained perforated web at the perforations, andincreasing the velocity of the severed and strained sheets during thebreaking operation, perto tlhe body thereof thereby continuously formingpaper stic s.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS HoltMay 30, 1916 Fuhr Sept. 12, 1922 Meyer Oct. 8, 1929 Perkins May 31, 1949

